The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-02-11
CHAPTER X.

Nadine rushes up the stairs, Mortified
by what she has just heard in the hall,
and filings herself into her friends arms.
''Such q thing to happen to youl" she
cries, in her little rapid fashion "The
miscreantl-the assassin Oh Millicent,
when Brown" 0he butler) stopped me
in the hall to tell me the dreadful news
nearly tainted. Only the idea of seeing
you face to face to make sure of your es-
cape sustained me, and gave me strength
to get here"
Indeed, she is as pale as a ghost, and
her eyes are full of tears. Sweet eyes, as
full of love as tears.
"Wel, now you have seen me-" with a
laugh, and gentle shake administered
to the trembling Nadine, "cheer up II bit,
and let the blood flow into those wan
cheeks Talking about blood flowing,
I'm glad mine was not let loose last
night"
"Oh! dont-don'tr says Nadine,
shuddering violently.
"Well, there, there. | have unnerved
you, and ought to be ashamed of my
self But the fact is, am unneved my
self, only my nervousness has the effect
of raising u sense of ridicule within me.
l cannot keep from jesting on last
nights adventure, though dare say to-
morrow | shall be prostrated. 1t is
strange excitement, better not indulged.
Well it is an i'll wind that blows nobody
good. You cannot compel me, tyrant
that you are! to stammcr over my Ger
man to-day"
An arrangement had been entered into
between them some weeks ago, when
Milliccnt had been brought ont, and was
supposed to have left her childhood and
the schoolroom behind her. Nadine,
for many reasons, would not consent to
be her companion. One was because she
could not well leave her mother; another
because of her engagement TO Paul An.
nerley; another (wns it so very import
Gnt0 because she could not give up the
tuition of Mr.. Durans little daughter.
SO Millicent had squared matters by de-
claring to her auutie that though she
considered she knew as much music as
would carry her on through life, her
knowledge OF German was still singularly
deficient and auntic, delighted ut this
trait of intellectual diligence in her
niece, had ut once requested Miss Roche
to continue her three visits week to
Park lane as heretofore.
"Tell me about it, says Nadine breath
lessly, her big blue eyes enlarged with
fear and curiosity. She has seated her.
self on a dainty prize dieu, and is leaning
forward with clasped hands in an attitude
highly suggestive of prayer, and there
fore highly suited to the chair.
Milliccnt, nothing loath, makes her
present of the entire scene from begin
ming to end.
"He might have been much worse
burglar, all things considered, and there
was quite touch of chivalry-a suspic-
ion of Claude Duval--in the fact of his
making me present of my own locket,"
she says, still unable to refrain from
turning the whole thing into ridicule.
"To go to the very root of the matter, it
must be confessed that | am the proud
possessor of his heart. He left me that
ut least"
"The coward" says Nadine, clasping
her pretty hands, "to attack alone one
poor woman! But, Millicent, from what
you tell me, IL don't think the burglar
could have been quite common man.
Was he tall--handsome9"
Handsome! Why, I couldn't see a
feature in his face. You don't suppose
that that sort of person comes around
with an open, ingenious countenance,
ready for all mems inspection? II so, you
are mistaken. My burglar came with a
mask that prevented me from seeing the
chiseled features that feel convinced lay
beneath it. Altogether, he was not OF the
common, every day lot that one meets
He was departure from the regular
lines. He was strange to me! Strangel
And yeti
Suddenly the half mocking, wholly gay
air she has used hitherto drops from her,
and she turns upon Nadine startled
glance. She leans toward her, and lay
ing her hand upon her shoulders, subjects
her to an exhaustive scrutiny.
~ must speak. l must tell you," she
says at last. "It has weighed upon me
ever since, and-and-the others would
consider it in the light of a nightmare,
or else say the idea arose from a feeling
of nervous horror; but it did not"
"What is it, MillicentS You forget
do not understand" " says Nadine, little
awed by the solemnity Of the others
glance.
"Just this that that terrible burglar,
from the time he entered my room to the
time he left it, seemed strangely famil-
lar. cannot account for it. His voice
never heard before. He was dressed in
the clothes of common workman, and
know no workman. His face, indeed,
was hidden''--
She stops abruptly as though oppressed
by some hidden thought.
Eyes, it was hidden" she says at last.
"Yet / am pursued by a hideous fear
that II co I'D have removed that mask
the features would have been familiar TO
mer'
She sinks back in her chair, looking
pale and exhausted.
at is mere nervousness" says Nadine
tenderly. "A chimera arising from an
overwrought sensibilty, Do not think
Of him again, darling Rest, and time
will cure you of that foolish phantasy."
"Nothing will cure me of the certainty
that face well known to me lay behind
that humble mask, returns Millicent
with a shudder.
She rallies little after while, and a
swift smile curves her lips.
"We are doomed family she says
gayly. "a prey to burglars First my
aunt, Lady Valworth's, diamonds dis
appear, not to be restored by all the de-
tective power in England, and now, my
sapphiresl Poor Uncle Timothy! he
gave much Of his life to contemplation
of those stones, and now a vulgar crimi-
nal is the possessor of them 1t is very
cruel of me TO laugh, is it not' Especially
as / am the only ons that can see a
comical side of the affair, Yes, am sorry
that / am not more sorry because of
their disappearance
"Has Mr. Boyle yet heard of their
being stolenF
"Not yet. He was to have been here
this morning, butt
"He was here this morning, darling"
says Mrs, Brand, who has just entered
the room and heard the drift of the con-
versation, "but you were then SO weak
that Of course ! could not see him. He
heard nothing, as l told Brown to be ST.
lent about our sensation to any caller
SO he merely left word that he hoped
your headache would be better soon q
suggested headache TO Brown as gen
eral and safe sort Of not at home), and
that he would call again tomorrow
morning.
"Wonderfully attentive for him, ~ says
Millicent, smoothing down the laces OF
her loose gown.
"Dear fellow He is always all he
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